Chapter 6 – Book of Foundations by St. Teresa of Avila – Discerning Hearts Podcast

The Book of the Foundations

By

St. Teresa of Avila

Chapter 6 – St. Teresa shows the harm that may happen to spiritual persons by their not understanding when they should resist the spirit (ie. the difference between rapture and absorption).  She also treats of the desires a soul may have to communicate (receive Holy Communion), and of the deceit there may be in doing so.  Other important matters are mentioned for the government of the houses.

For all chapters of the audiobook visit:  The Book of Foundations audio page

For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here

Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]

Read by Kris McGregor

 

ST-John Ep 20 – John 9 The Man Born Blind part 2 – The Gospel of St. John – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Episode 20 – John 9:  The Man Born Blind part 2

As we begin our study of John 9, the man born blind, Sharon reminds us that John’s Gospel contains 7 signs:  water changed to wine (John 2), healing of the royal official’s son (John 4), healing of the lame man (John 5), feeding of the 5000 (John 6), walking on the Sea of Galilee (John 6), healing of the man born blind (John 9) and the raising of Lazarus (John 11).  Some scholars add an 8th sign, the resurrection of Jesus (John 20).  Focusing then on John 9, Sharon shows how the disciples were passing moral judgment against the man born blind, asking if it was his or his parent’s sin that caused his blindness.
If we are honest with ourselves, we tend to do the same:  we assume lung cancer is related to smoking or cirrhosis of the liver is related to alcohol abuse.  Sharon then takes us to the story of Job, who lost his possessions, his health, and his children, yet never sinned by cursing God.  As with the man born blind, Job’s sufferings were not without meaning but instead was an opportunity for the Lord to be magnified.  As we so often see, John’s Gospel is intimately connected with the book of Genesis:  the pre-incarnate Jesus created, while the incarnate Jesus recreated.  Recalling how Adam was created from the dust, the Church fathers believed that the man of John 9 was born without eyes and that Christ recreated this man by fashioning new eyes out of dust and spittle.
In another wonderful connection with Genesis, we recall that Gihon was one of the four rivers that flowed from Eden.  A river named by the same title Gihon or “Gush Forth” supplied the pool of Siloam, where the blind man washed away the mud, completing the restoration of his sight.  We also remember that after forming man from the dust of the ground, the Lord breathed His own divine breath of life into man, imparting an eternal soul into Adam.  The soul and body unite in a single nature, separated only at death, but to be reunited at the resurrection of the dead.  Jesus uses all things for his good, including death.  The curse of death resulted from the fall, yet Jesus conquered death on the cross and now our own death becomes our only avenue back to the fullness of the Trinity through Jesus!  Death used to separate us from God, but now death is our way back home.   As St. Paul said: “Where, O death, is your sting now?” (1 Cor. 15:55b).

Sharon gives several examples of various types of blindness in this chapter, including the blindness of the Pharisees who failed to see the glorification of God through this healing.  But blindness does not have to be a terminal condition.  Saul, Pharisee of Pharisees, was spiritually blind as he persecuted the early Christians.  Then the Lord rendered him physically blind for three days, resulting in the most magnificent of conversions.  A blind, sinful Pharisee was recreated into one of the most powerful witnesses ever to the glory of God.  Jesus came for all, the righteous and the sinners.  Baptismal waters gush forth to recreate all believers and fill us with His Holy Spirit.

 

 

Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.

For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page

“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to www.seekingtruth.net

Chapter 5 – Book of Foundations by St. Teresa of Avila – Discerning Hearts Podcast

The Book of the Foundations

By

St. Teresa of Avila

Chapter 5 – Some directions concerning prayer.

For all chapters of the audiobook visit:  The Book of Foundations audio page

For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here

Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]

Read by Kris McGregor

 

HR#23 “Prayer during the Night” – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Prayer during the Night

From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:

 

CHAPTER 8

Of the Divine Office during the Night

Making due allowance for circumstances, the brethren will rise during the winter season, that is, from the calends of November till Easter, at the eighth hour of the night; so that, having rested till a little after midnight, they may rise refreshed. The time, however, which remains over after the night office (Matins) will be employed in study by those of the brethren who still have some parts of the psalms and the lessons to learn.

But from Easter to the aforesaid calends, let the hour for celebrating the night office (Matins) be so arranged, that after a very short interval, during which the brethren may go out for the necessities of nature, the morning office (Lauds), which is to be said at the break of day, may follow presently.

Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.

For more, be sure to visit The Holy Rule of St. Benedict Rule with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B. Podcast Discerning Hearts page

LFT-1 Praying Our Way to Virtue – Listening for Truth with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast

Episode 1 -Listening For Truth This episode, with Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor, serves as an introduction to the series. They discuss moral judgments: What are the boundaries? They also explore the importance of giving God time to reach us and knowing how we can be properly spiritually guided.

Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a Professor of Spiritual Theology at Kenrick Glennon Seminary, in St. Louis, MO. He previously served as the Director of Theological Formation at the Institute for Priestly Formation located at Creighton University in Omaha, NE.

Listening for Truth leads men and women in a search for a fuller experience of God that begins in prayer, grows in the rediscovery of our spiritual being, and grounds itself in the truth of Jesus Christ. A presentation of the Christian life as an engagement of the whole person — body, mind, and soul — in the challenge of daily living.

Chapter 4 – Book of Foundations by St. Teresa of Avila – Discerning Hearts Podcast

The Book of the Foundations

By

St. Teresa of Avila

Chapter 4 – On certain favors which the Lord bestowed on the nuns of these monasteries, and on the manner the prioresses should conduct themselves towards the sisters.

For all chapters of the audiobook visit:  The Book of Foundations audio page

For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here

Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]

Read by Kris McGregor

 

Chapter 3 – Book of Foundations by St. Teresa of Avila – Discerning Hearts Podcast

The Book of the Foundations

By

St. Teresa of Avila

Chapter 3 – By what means the founding of the monastery of St. Joseph in Medina del Campo began to be negotiated (and the first meeting with St. John of the Cross)

For all chapters of the audiobook visit:  The Book of Foundations audio page

For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here

Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]

Read by Kris McGregor

 

Chapter 2 – Book of Foundations by St. Teresa of Avila – Discerning Hearts Podcast

The Book of the Foundations

By

St. Teresa of Avila

Chapter 2 – How our Father General came to Avila, and what upon his coming.

For all chapters of the audiobook visit:  The Book of Foundations audio page

For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here

Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]

Read by Kris McGregor

 

Chapter 1 – The Foundation of Medina del Campo – Book of Foundations by St. Teresa of Avila – Discerning Hearts Podcast

The Book of the Foundations

By

St. Teresa of Avila

Chapter 1 – The Foundation of Medina del Campo

For all chapters of the audiobook visit:  The Book of Foundations audio page

For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here

Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]

Read by Kris McGregor

 

HR#21 “Fighting the Demons” – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Fighting the Demons

From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:

CHAPTER I

an excerpt:

The second kind is that of Anchorites, or Hermits, that is, of those who, no longer in the first fervor of their conversion, but taught by long monastic practice and the help of many brethren, have already learned to fight against the devil; and going forth from the rank of their brethren well trained for single combat in the desert, they are able, with the help of God, to cope single-handed without the help of others, against the vices of the flesh and evil thoughts.

Special note:  Fr. Mauritius speaks of a book by Evagrius of Pontus, the link is below :

Evagrius Of Pontus: Talking Back: A Monastic Handbook for Combating Demons (Cistercian Studies)

Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.

For more, be sure to visit The Holy Rule of St. Benedict Rule with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B. Podcast Discerning Hearts page